3 great ways other companies are using mobile apps

Mobile apps. They’ve taken the business world by storm. They’re helping businesses become more efficient, boost sales, improve customer satisfaction, and much more. The fact is, mobile apps offer all types of benefits to all types of businesses…yet many companies still hesitate to jump on board.

Why is that?

In my experience, companies hesitate for one of three reasons: They’re not sure exactly how mobile apps can help their business, they’re not sure how to build mobile apps, or they lack adequate resources.

Today, I’d like to take a look at each of these issues. First, let’s examine how mobile apps can help businesses. However, rather than explain all the different ways mobile apps can help a business, let’s look at some real-life examples. I’ve picked 3 great examples of ways that other companies are currently using mobile apps:

How can this help your company? What’s the underlying concept in this example? Hyatt is giving their employees a better way to work. They’re freeing their staff from the confines of their desk, and letting them actively do their job. Now, don’t think this example only applies to hotels. All types of companies can benefit from this concept. How? Here’s one idea: Take your most widely used business applications and make them available as mobile apps. Give your employees the ability to work from anywhere.

One point to mention about this idea: Creating mobile apps doesn’t mean that you must deal with multiple versions of the same application. You can create one application that looks like a native mobile app on any device. This article goes into more detail on the topic.

How can this help your company? We see a couple of great ideas in this example. First, Midland replaced their paper-based logging process with one that instantly updates their database. Second, they came up with an ingenious way to log inventory without purchasing expensive scanning equipment. Does your company need to log inventory, keep track of office supplies, or any other task involving a bar code? A simple mobile web app combined with a basic smartphone can easily replace expensive scanning equipment.

Example #3: The Melt lets customers place orders from their phones

You may have heard about the high-tech grilled cheese restaurant that opened last year. While they’re using technology in many ways, one example is in the ordering process: They’re using mobile web apps to let customers avoid standing in line. Customers can either place their orders with the cashier, or pull up the Melt’s mobile web app and place an order on their phone.

How can you use this? The underlying concept in this example is something that most any business can use: Make it easier for customers to buy from you. Why wouldn’t you give your customers a way to place orders via their smartphone? After all, smartphones are essentially small computers that your customers carry everywhere. Why not give your customers a way to do business with you wherever they are?

So, there you have it: 3 great ways that real companies are using mobile apps to improve their business. Do those examples give you any ideas?

If so, let’s move on to the next issue: What if you want to build mobile apps, but you’re not sure how to proceed? If your business is dealing with that question, I have something that might help. It’s short guide that explains the basics of mobile apps, and what you need to know to get started. You can find it right here: The beginner’s guide to creating mobile apps for your business. I hope you find it useful.

Finally, let’s deal with the last issue: What if your company wants to build mobile apps, but you lack the time or resources for the project? If this problem sounds familiar to you, here are two ways to address the situation:

Check out m-Power. m-Power is a development platform that automatically creates smartphone and tablet apps every time you build a web app. In other words, it completely automates the mobile app creation process! If that sounds confusing, this article explains the concept. If you’d like to try m-Power for yourself, head on over to the free m-Power Trial.

Let us know. If you don’t have the time, resources, or knowledge to tackle a mobile application development project on your own, consider our consulting or training services. Our consultants can either step in and teach you how to complete the project on your own, or just build the mobile apps for you in lightspeed with m-Power. To get started, fill out this short form and let us know what’s on your plate.